| JAMES BUCHANAN
People found James Buchanan reserved at first meeting,
but warm and friendly when they knew him better. His
nephew described him as "tall -- over six feet,
broad shouldered, with a portly, dignified bearing...;
his eyes were blue, intelligent, and kindly, with the
peculiarity that one was far- and the other near-sighted,
which resulted in a slight habitual inclination of the
head to one side ..."
The public respected Buchanan for his faithful
services in both houses of Congress, as Secretary of
State, and in important diplomatic posts.
Chronology of His Life and Career
|
April 23, 1791 |
Born in Franklin
County, Pennsylvania. |
| |
1795 |
Moved with family to Mercersburg,
Pennsylvania. |
| |
1809 |
Graduated from Dickinson College. |
| |
1812 |
Began practicing law in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania. |
| |
1812 |
Volunteered as a private to help defend
Baltimore upon outbreak of the War of
1812. |
| |
1814-1816 |
Served in the Pennsylvania Legislature. |
| |
1819 |
Became engaged to Ann Coleman, but she died
before they could marry. |
| |
1820 |
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. |
| |
1831 |
Appointed Minister to Russia. |
| |
1834 |
Elected to the U.S. Senate. |
| |
1844 |
Considered for the Democratic presidential
nomination but withdrew his name prior to the
convention. |
| |
1845 |
Appointed Secretary of State. |
|
1848 |
Purchased an estate
in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. |
| |
1852 |
Lost Democratic presidential nomination to Franklin Pierce. |
| |
1853 |
Appointed Minister to Great Britain. |
| |
1856 |
Elected President
of the United States. |
|
June 1, 1868 |
Died in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania. |
See Also
War of 1812
Franklin Pierce
Wheatland
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